Food Stamp Challenge
Origins of the Challenge
In May of 2007, four “members of Congress [lived] on a food stamp budget for one week (of $21.00) in order to raise visibility and understanding around the challenges that millions of low-income American's face in obtaining a healthy diet under current food stamp benefit levels.” ~ www.foodstampchallenge.typepad.com
The Church’s Challenge
A member of the church, Jane Jordan engages in community service with the Americorps, Volunteer In Service to America (VISTA). She invited members of the church to participate in the same challenge made by members of congress. This entailed, (1) learning about the food stamp program; (2) going to Trader Joe’s to calculate expenses; and (3) purchasing a week’s worth of food on a food-stamp budget; and (4) reflecting upon their experience.
Who Participated?
David Giles and Rev. Nate took the challenge and prepared educational materials with Amy Fraatz, Jan Guidotti, Eric Jordan, and three VISTA volunteers Henry Earl, Evan Foley and Jane Jordan.
About VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years.
What are Food Stamps?
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Food Stamps are designed as a nutritional program to address America’s hunger crisis.
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They are not actual stamps. It’s a specialized debt card that is administered locally and given to those with incomes less than 130% of the poverty line. For a family of three, this is roughly an annual income of less than $22,000.
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It is estimated that in America 20 million people receive food stamps. This includes many of the working poor.
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Over 90% of households who live on Food Stamps have a child, an elder, or a disabled person living at home.
What Is Covered?
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Food Stamp Benefits may be used to purchase foods intended for human consumption including soft drinks, candy, ice cream, coffee, and spices.
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Seeds and plants to grow food for personal consumption by eligible households.
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Meals prepared and served by communal dining facility for the elderly, rehabilitation centers, or shelters for the homeless or for battered women, children.
What is Not Covered?
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Non-food items such as paper products, diapers, dish and laundry detergent, toiletries, medicines, etc.
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Alcoholic beverages.
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Hot foods prepared for immediate consumption.
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Pet foods.
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Utilities, rent, clothing, entertainment, etc.
Profile #1: Josephine Priestley
A twenty-year old college student who works part-time to supplement the scholarships and grants that help pay for her efficiency apartment and utilities. She is an omnivore and prepares all her own meals. She has a cash income of $260 per month and is therefore awarded $84 a month in Food Stamps, equaling $21.00 a week. She is active in her church and would like to participate in the January 27th potluck.
Results
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She spent $1.77 more than food stamps on the items listed in the following receipt.
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Notice she was not able to purchase bread, meats, or breakfast goods.
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The only fruit she was able to purchase was an apple.
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The only vegetable she purchased was lettuce, three onions and carrots.
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As for protein, she purchased tuna, beans, and milk.
Profile #2: Rev. Nate Walker
A thirty-two year old religious professional who lives in a loft apartment in Center City Philadelphia. He is vegetarian and is a recipient of generous church members who prepare regular potlucks. For the challenge, he purchased $22 worth of food for the week.
Results
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Rev. Nate purchased soymilk and cereal, as well as peanut butter and jelly for lunch, which covered him for the week. However, for dinner, he was only able to purchase three meals of pasta and two meals of taquitos with soup.
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Rev. Nate supplemented his meals with an additional $12 in vegetables and fruits.
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He became very aware of the amount of food that was around him in the week, including at home and at work.
Lessoned Learned
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Food stamps are not enough but sometimes are all that people have to get by.
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Although the program is intended to support good nutrition, Josephine’s diet was deficient in calories, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, Vitamin C and D, calcium, iron, and potassium.
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Josephine’s calorie intake was 56% of the recommended weekly calorie. Given the deficiency in calories and protein intake, and without any food supplements over a given month she would loose weight.
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It is not guaranteed that all people have access to healthy and affordable foods. Neither does everyone have access to transportation to grocery stores.
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The program assumes the ability to prepare meals at home. Many do not have a full kitchen or have the time to prepare meals.
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The increases in food costs make it difficult to meet basic nutritional needs.
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It is technically illegal for Food Stamp participants to purchase and prepare meals for others, like a church potluck.
Recommendations
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To collectively re-think how those on food-stamps can participate in church potlucks. For example, rather than an expectations that a meal will be prepared, maybe they can help set-up for the meal.
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To collectively recognize that all contributions to church potlucks should be valued.
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To collectively be more aware of the abundance of food in our community and to express our gratitude.
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